B 



1S94 
C55©5 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap Copyright No 

Shelty£iT#3 

-V ?9f 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

BY / 

ISAAC BASSKTT CHOATE 



The camel driver has his thoughts, and the 
camel — he has his thoughts , 

—Arabic Proverb 



NEW YORK 
HOME JOURNAL PRINT 

IS 9 9 



•^ QCT171899 






\« 



11 



43667 



Copyright, 1899, by Isaac Uassett Choate 



TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 




•ECONO COPY. 






To her the beaming of whose tender eyes 
Tells what beyond the power of language lies, 

Whose dear companionship through desert place 
Of all the desert makes a paradise. 



CONTENTS 

OBEYD, THE CAMEL DKIVER 
The Camel Driver's Thoughts 
The Camel's Thoughts 

FROM THE DESERT 
Well op Parting 
El Tekbir 
Sid bel Abbas 
Koshaira 

Belfry op Aleppo 
The Desert Stream 

ZULEi'KA 

The Phantom Train 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 



What gems and pearls by camel train are brought, 
Sweet breath of roses, mantles richly wrought ! 

For those who loiter in life's market-place 
The driver brings companionable thought. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 



i 

I cross the desert as men cross the sea, 
A long, lone journey traveled silently; 

With nothing beautiful the heart to cheer 
But thoughts of Allah,— Allah's thought of me. 

II 
Two friends stand talking in the city gates, 
One goes abroad, at home the other waits ; 

To which the better fortune, who can tell ? 
In wiser hand than ours lie human fates. 

Ill 

The time is come the last farewell to say, 

With prayers must friend speed friend upon his way ; 

We 're parting now, and none but Allah knows 
If this our present parting be for aye. 



10 OBEYD, THJfi CAMEL DIUVEK 

IV 

A sad leave-taking at the parting well,— 

One braves the desert's dangers weird and fell 

Back turns the other to a lonely home, 
And Allah goes with both,— how strange to tell ! 

V 

This march across the desert waste begun, 
The stars will guide by night, by day the sun ; 

But backward o'er that track both day and night 
To home and friends will Thought unerring run. 

vi 

Love joins us with so fair a tale to tell 
We travel with him under magic spell, 

Nor think to ask our dear companion's name 
Before he turns aside and says, "Farewell ! " 

VII 

Since of our earthly lot is nothing sure 
Except that earthly joys may not endure, 

At every stage what better course to take 
Than try to make our present joy secure ? 



THIS CAMEL DRIVEK'S THOUGHTS 11 

VIII 
Not to enjoy the vain and fugitive, 
To taste fair fruits the smiling seasons give, 
But griefs and losses bravely to endure, 
This is to live and deeply feel we live. 

IX 

These camels, forced their heavy loads to bear, 
O 'er native sands by paths familiar fare ; 

But he who drives, a stranger and alone, 
Himself by Fate is driven he knows not where. 



Worn desert paths, in sandy furrows seen, 
Prom gardens lead to other gardens green, 

As human lives lead out from regions blest 
To others blest,— but oh, the dust between ! 

XI 

From morning's calm to quietude of eve 
Slow moving camels dusty courses weave,— 

From birth to death we fret life's dusty plain, 
And at our death how little dust we leave ! 



12 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XII 

Trails cross but once however long they be, 
As ship hails ship but once upon the sea, 

Let then there be fair greeting and God-speed 
Between each passing traveler and me. 

XIII 
We needs must part, we who have strangely met 
Halfway between where rise the stars and set; 

We needs must part, athwart our courses run, 
We '11 say good-bye and nevermore forget. 

XIV 

The paths we take this way and that divide, 
We follow them till as the desert wide ; 

And yet, perchance, these paths may join again, 
And we be comrades on the further side. 

XV 

Eternity is long and Allah can 

At leisure form and execute His plan, 

But time is short, — the time wherein to learn 
To do one's duty to his fellow-man. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 13 

XVI 

As sailors watch the stars upon the sea 
So on our desert stages travel we, 

Not knowing that, whatever course we take, 
Along that selfsame path comes Destiny. 

XVII 

" This, too, will pass," the Persian proverb saith, 
This weal or woe, as goes the zephyr's breath; 

Be fortune good or ill. it travels past — 
Not so goes past inevitable Death. 

XVIII 

Love draws for us the line of duty straight 
Across the sands of life to further gate, 

Love goes the way to guide our erring steps 
To where for us do patient angels wait. 

XIX 

The sun at night goes to his tent of red, 
With darkness is the desert overspread ; 

So deeply dark the curtain that is drawn 
At last between the living and the dead. 



14 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XX 

Within the empty silence of the night 
When all except the heavens is shut from sight, 
Then may we hear the singing of the stars— 
A music shed from their celestial height. 

XXI 

How Hope's fair promise round about us lies 
As far horizon bounds the earth and skies, 

And as that line moves on with our advance 
So, while we follow, Hope before us flies. 

XXII 
With cries of men are daily stages passed, 
We tent at night in silence deep and vast ; 

With noisy striving we push on through life, 
The tranquil cypress shelters us at last. 

XXIII 

Through evening's falling shade do stars grow bright, 
And desert skies hang lower in the night ; 

Amid the doubt and gloom of troubled days 
Fair peace of Heaven shows nearer mortal sight. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 15 

XXIV 

Bright shining stars remain unseen by day, 
Night makes them visible by softest ray ; 

And so it is the smiling of a friend 
The brighter shines seen on the darker way. 

XXV 

As stars upon celestial pastures are 
Steadfast and fixed, each by its neighbor star, 

So on the sand the moving caravan 
Seems motionless, watched by us from afar. 

XXVI 

Fair Shiraz boasts that Allah's gifts are shed 
On her, few glories o'er the desert spread ; 

Why need more stars be shown us in the night 
While countless are those shining overhead ? 

XXVII 

When I behold day's monarch set or rise, 
Keflect what glory then around me lies, 

And try to feign what heaven is like, I think 
That desert is some part of Paradise. 



16 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DKIVER 

XXVIII 

With wings of flame do clouds of evening sweep 
Across the sky as ships across the deep ; 

Within that glow of sunset angels stand 
To guard the world below them, fast asleep. 

XXIX 

We dream of music in the silent night, 

We dream of beauty where there is no light ; 

To those who rest within the tent of green 
These dreams are real to hearing and to sight. 

XXX 

Were we all hours of life with sunlight blessed, 
Did never sun go down behind the west, 

How many other worlds were never known ! 
How many suns besides were never guessed I 

XXXI 

O realm of peace, where light and glory meet! 
O realm of beauty, glad with angel feet! 

Ye clouds above the desert's darkening plain, 
Whereon hath Allah placed his Mercy Seat ! 



THE CAMEL DKIVEK'S THOUGHTS 17 

XXXII 

In her own shadow Night goes by, and then 
Comes genial light of day to waking men ; 

But since the dead wake not from their long sleep 
For them the day will never break again. 

XXXIII 

In search of Allah men unhappy stray 
On arid wastes of thought day after day, 

To find, alas! o'erwearied with their toil, 
They left him when they started on their way. 

XXXIV 

In market-place, in city gates one hears 
Opinions variable as hopes and fears, 

From youth to age do moods of people change, 
But Truth is changeless through revolving years. 

XXXV 

By day around us ambient light is shed, 
By night do faithful stars watch overhead, 

The heavens remain unchanged throughout the years, 
While earth slips from us as its paths we tread. 



18 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XXXV 

We fold our tents soon as the day's begun, 
We pitch our tents soon as the day is done ; 

The same horizon girdling all around 
Shows us how nearly birth and death are one. 

XXXVII 

The rising and the setting stars are dim, 
Seem farthest off, seen near the desert's rim ; 

Deep awe of Allah wakens in the soul 
With wakening thought that 'tis a part of Him. 

XXXVIII 

Look at the stars— how steadily they keep 
Appointed way while heaven's blue vault they sweep! 

See then how man goes stumbling in the dark— 
For such a life as this should mortals weep ? 

XXXIX 

Man's spirit, offspring of the Over-soul, 
Flies to its source as runner to the goal 

But all the dead bring no access of gain,— 
The parts can add no greatness to the whole. 



THE CAMEL DRIVERS THOUGHTS 19 

XL 
We judge of distances by shade and light, 
Correct by day uncertain guess at night ; 

Who says that he stands near by Allah's side 
Has failed to judge supernal glories right. 

XLI 

I cannot answer Where is wisdom found ? 
Nor where unfailing joys of life abound ? 

But faithful camels lead me to the spot 
Where running waters slake the parched ground. 

XLII 

Where in the burning sand deep waters spring 
Bloom oleanders, happy sparrows sing ; 

So when the deepest feelings flood the soul 
Diviner thoughts those hidden currents bring. 

XLIII 

A well of water in the thirsty ground 

And groups of waving palm trees stand around ; 

Let hope but spring afresh in desert lives 
And all the world a paradise is found. 



20 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XLIV 

Alone we journey on, day after day, 
My camel and myself, a lonely way, 

Where even Echo shrinks to set her foot 
Or let her lips repeat the words I say. 

XLV 
A sea of desert sand about me spread, 
All life of beast, of bird, of insect, fled, 
I deem myself alone, but Afrit form 
Warns me not even desert sand is dead. 

XL VI 

The world of sense fits well the world of mind, 
Man shares a wider life than of mankind, 

From desert's empty floor we gather truth 
More than in city's crowded street we find. 

XLVII 

Poor thorny shrub half-starved in desert spot 
Gains there a sweetness garden rose hath not, 

From desert bitterness of lonely life 
The soul distils sweet frankincense of thought. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 21 

XLVIII 

What shouts of joy where Victory folds her wings, 
Where host triumphant grateful paean sings ! 

But oh ! the bitterness of mute despair 
'Mid broken ranks of poor heart-broken things ! 

XLIX 

To him who boldly takes the battlefield 
Heaven will extend its all-protecting shield, 

And if he enter service of the Right 
For him are books of Fate once more unsealed. 

L 

A friend we beg that Allah will bestow, 

Some fortune, too, that we good-will may show; 

But, if to envious Fate this seem too much, 
All but the friend we'll cheerfully forego. 

LI 

Few friends suffice us while the way is won, 
We pitch our tents alone the day is done ; 
But sad were coming to the end of life 
And finding there the lack of even one. 



21 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

LII 

However short or long the journey made, 
My camel halts beneath each friendly shade ; 

Along its dusty way let mortal life 
At every hour of gladness be delayed. 

LIII 

Six days for toiling in the field or mart, 
Six days for travel and laborious art, 

The seventh, a halting on life's desert road, 
Our fathers called "the Resting of the Heart." 

LIV 

Rose bushes pass the winter stripped and bare, 
With spring's green dress white roses gaily wear; 

Why cannot we as patiently await 
Our coming joys, nor yield to dark despair? 

LV 

How blest the happy man who wisely knows 
To use such gifts as Allah's hand bestows, 

And what that hand may prudently withhold 
Without one least repining thought foregoes ! 



THE CAMEL DRIVERS THOUGHTS 

LVI 
Beneath a flaming sun day after day, 
Beneath the moon at night we make our way ; 

Were in our path a glowworm to appear, 
The glowworm were more marvelous than they. 

LVII 

The false mirage, with show of waters cool, 
Turns thirsty desert spot to seeming pool, 

Thus Fortune spreads a vain alluring show 
To cheat the fancy of unthinking fool 

LVIII 

The gifts of fickle Fortune quickly bring 
Such empty praise as flattering poets sing, 

The man that wisely rules his heart's desires 
Is by the suffrage of mankind their king. 

LIX 

Blame Fortune not for life's depleted store, 
She takes not save what she had given before ; 
Count gains and losses you shall surely find 
Though much she takes away she gives yet more. 



24 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

LX 

While solid rock is shattered by a blow 

In safety lie smooth polished sands below, — 

Proud sovereign Khaliff trembles for his throne, 
Not any fear poor camel drivers know. 

LXI 

Oh, why should Allah have so much regard 
For man, and deem his loss of Eden hard I 

Go into exile with Humanity, 
Do all for love, do nothing for reward ! 

LXII 

Across the burning sand with padded tread 
My patient camel shambles on ahead, 

That track together with my sandalled steps 
Will with to-morrow's dust be overspread. 

LXIII 
On desert sand where fierce the sunbeams burn, 
From moving shade our destiny we learn ; 

" I come and go," the sun says, " every day, 
But when goes man 'tis never to return." 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 25 

LXIV 
Upon the desert's distant, sloping rim 
An empty city rises, vast but dim ; 

The city of the dead ;— one thither fares 
A cheerful way, doth Allah go with him ! 

LXV 

Men tell of ghostly trains by phantoms led 
That make the desert way with noiseless tread, 

At night these bring from Islam's farthest bounds 
To Mecca's holier soil the Moslem dead. 

LXVI 

41 Now have we seen the pageantry of earth, 
Its pomp of sorrow and its mime of mirth !" 

My soul exclaims, nor yet observes the while 
The grim, gaunt figure crouching at our hearth. 

LXVII 

Should'st thou, my Soul, with tears and prayers implore 
Beyond thy doom one day of life the more, 

Those prayers and weeping would be all in vain ; 
Unpitying keeper has thy days in store. 



26 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

LXVIII 
How oft before their mortal dwelling stand 
Dear Life and Soul together, hand in hand; 
Watch flight of angel on his glad return, 
With exile longings for their native land ! 

LXIX 

Were all bright things within our world to know 
The overshadowing cloud of human woe, 

Would not that knowledge some fair brightness dim, 
And all our world be made the darker so ? 

LXX 

One selfsame path all enter on at birth, 
With equal pace advance to shame or worth,— 

In crash of battle, with lone pestilence, 
Death's herald cries his empire through the earth. 

LXXI 
Proud waving fronds the palm lifts to the skies, 
The storm is o'er, a log the palm tree lies,— 

Proud rich man dreams of greater fortune yet, 
And in that feverish dream of his he dies. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 27 

LXXII 

The lives of men are cheap where heroes die, 
So many offer theirs, so few to buy ; 

But let one ask the price on fields of peace 
And he will find that lives are rated high. 

LXXIII 

Bloodhounds of war, strong-jawed, know not release, 
Loud-clattering mills of war will never cease ; 
The shepherd never pasture flocks of sheep 
Nor pitch his tent upon the skirts of Peace. 

LXXIV 

To leave all that is worth the living for, 
To come back to the cypress-shaded or 

To find in foreign land a nameless grave, 
This is the fortune joined with glorious war. 

LXXV 

The victors in the fight a captive hold, 
They offer him his life for sum of gold ; 

The balance of that life he cannot know, 
The price of ransom easily is told. 



28 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DKIVER 

LXXVI 
Upon the battlefield the victor saith, 
" To you is life given back for change of faith ; " 

In bargain of so simple terms it seems 
The honest, free man's choice were surely death. 

LXXVII 

My longing climbs the steep and rugged way 
Where riders spur their horses to the fray ; 

A helpless prisoner of Fate am I — 
The heart's beloved is fairest when away ! 

LXXVIII 
Snow on the mountain, on the thirsty plain 
Is soft and cooling touch of gentle rain ; 

We 've disappointment to weigh down our pride, 
Sweet ministries of love to soothe our pain. 

LXXIX 
One fancies what we commonly behold, 
Another fancies what is quaint or old ; 
If there were not diversity of taste 
The potter's ugly jar were never sold. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 29 

LXXX 

A gem in golden setting richly wrought 
May with the ransom of a king be bought, 
But if my taste mislike the showy thing 
The showy thing is rightly valued nought. 

LXXXI 

The g'ow of wine, the savor of rich food, 
The sheen of silk, the grace of womanhood, 

The pomp of wealth, unmeaning shouts of fame, 
To worldly-minded these are all their good. 

LXXXII 
"Where comes a soul all radiant and fair, 
Its veil of purity preserved with care, 

It matters nought— the body's lack of grace, 
It matters less what raiment this may wear. 

LXXXIII 
If, O my soul ! we take not up the load 
Of loss and labor on life's rugged road, 

In vain all hope that we may ever reach 
Those heights on which is Glory's bright abode. 



30 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DKIVEli 

LXXXIV 

Youth waits at opening gates of manhood long, 

The soul thrilled with high purposo fixed and strong : 

An interlude of sweetest melody 
Between the breaking silence and the song. 

LXXXV 

With others mourn we loss of wealth, and fain 
Would cling to what of fortune may remain, 

With our own soul we mourn the loss of youth 
When to the soul that loss is all its gain. 

LXXXVI 

Who eats content to-day his simple crust 
Awaits to-morrow with unshaken trust, 

Believing Allah's mercies manifold 
As are the desert's countless grains of dust. 

LXXXVII 

Be life as narrow as the prison cell. 

Be life as broad as lands where Bedouins dwell,— 

Great store or nought, 'tis all the same to Time, 
For when Time goes goes all of earth as well. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

LXXXVIII 

Times come and go by turns, revolving fast, 
Nor pain nor pleasure e'er were known to last, 

But while our life is as a treasure held 
We may not grieve for any pleasure past. 

LXXXIX 

When, overcome by mystery and dread, 

From Allah's presence man has turned and fled, 

How has he marveled in his soul to find 
That Allah's spirit followed not— but led ! 

XC 

At night the stars move in procession slow 
Down to the underworld of Death below ; 

If long or short the ropes by which they 're drawn, 
Or whose the hands that draw, we may not know. 

XCI 

Kemote as is yon bright star shining fair 
Kind providence of Allah blesses there, 

While at my feet in clump of scrubby sage 
Does sparrow's brood sleep saTe in Allah's care. 



32 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DK1VER 

XCII 
At dawn, 'tis said, swings open Eden's gate, 
Its hinge yields willingly at evening late, 

For angels have so many ways to go 
They 're never asked for long outside to wait. 

XCIII 
Men often ask, Is there aught good in life? 
Some sweet reward for all this toil and strife ? 

Yea, answer I, for I have seen its good 
When looking on my children and my wife. 

XCIV 
Come, Soul of loved one, with a joyous bound 
Join Soul of mine to stray life's garden round, 

And, looking frankly each in other's eyes, 
Confess no greater joy in life is found. 

xcv 

Small children in our homes— what else are they 
But our hearts walking with us on our way ? 

Let but the breeze blow on them and our eyes 
All night to Slumber's wooing answer, "Nay." 



THE CAMEL DRIVERS THOUGHTS 

XCVI 
A child that calls out, " Mother!" in its fears, 
Whose feeble cry no more the mother hears, 

Stirs in the father's heart a living fount 
That fills his sleepless eyes brimful of tears. 

XCVII 
O thou, one half my soul, in yonder skies! 
How mourns the other half where Hosein lies I 

Athirst for sweet companionship of yore 
Though floods of tears fall from o'erflowing eyes. 

XCVIII 

To Fancy's view time as a sea appears, 
Eternity the depth, as waves the years ; 

And every drop of that unfathomed flood 
Has been made briny with the salt of tears. 

XCIX 
How slowly herded stars graze o'er their plain 
While soul of mine endures this racking pain ! 

To me they seem poor helpless fettered things 
Or tethered each with adamantine chain. 



34 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

C 

Day follows night so close their traces blend, 
Warmth after winter's cold will Allah send ; 
'Tis wise to treat good fortune as a guest, 
Nor think that woe will never, never end. 

CI 

The hours of day are blessed with constant light, 
To constant shade are doomed the hours of night ; 
Where love shines on the pathway of our lives, 
'Neath sun, 'neath cloud, that path is always bright. 

CII 

Within the tent, beneath its darkened shade, 
For weary guest the slumber-place is made ; 
The traveler coming late to tent of green, 
On waiting couch his toil-worn limbs are laid. 

cm 

By pilgrim journeying on desert wide 
To dweller in the tent is greeting cried, 

1 ' Fair peace be on thy covering in the morn 
When shall the world with light be glorified ! " 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 35 

CIV 
We know what Now unfolds to eye and ear, 
What brought the Past is held in memory dear, 

Before the knowledge which the Future brings 
We stand in mystery shrouded and in fear. 

CV 
We sperd our life's best years in toil and pain, 
To solve Life's problem seeking all in vain ; 

Would clear the mystery of our being here, 
And with that effort weary heart and brain. 

CVI 

High mountain peaks with snow are silvered o'er, 
In shadow-haunted vales dark rivers pour;— 

A man may wear a smile upon his face 
And at his heart be sick with anguish sore. 

CVII 

Who mourns the hero in rebellion slain ? 

His sword, his spear, his shield with bloody stain, 

And one true friend -the steed that goes to drink 
At brink of stagnant pool with trailing rein. 



36 OBEYD, THE CAMEL D1UVER 

CVIII 
By succoring the abject and abhorred 
Men win to gracious favor of our Lord, 

Not by prayer-rug worn thin with constant use 
Is earned of our poor life its great reward. 

CIX 

"Who gathers friends by helping in their need, 
"Who shields their honor by a kindly deed, 

Grows mightier than the strength of single hand, 
Grows richer than the grasp of selfish greed. 

cx 

Men make excuse for haste the hope to find 
Some fond ideal of the youthful mind, 

Loth to admit their anxious thought is fear 
Of fancied evils following close behind. 

CXI 

The generous youth with noble zeal inspired 
Runs life's fair race until his soul is tired, 
And thinks him lucky if at last he gain 
Some little of all that his heart desired. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 37 

CXII 

Youth keeps its treasures with a nerveless hold, 
Youth counts the hours a tale already told ; 

Age, grown more miserly, would be most glad 
If but the new-born year brought back the old. 

CXIII 
The world is burdened with the bitter cry, 
We live so little time, so soon we die I 

As justly camel driver might complain, 
Too short the desert march, the end too nigh ! 

CXIV 
Here have we through a careless childhood played, 
Here later have with idle Fancy strayed ; 

More guests are coming,— why then, let us say 
Good-bye ! before our welcome is out-stayed. 

cxv 

"Who travels o'er a dry and desert place 
Looks not to see the violet's gentle face, 

For prudent Nature, having happier thought, 
Put violets where they gain and give a grace. 



38 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CXVI 
'Tis not the good, the honest, brave, and wise 
That reach the level of admiring eyes ; 

White fleck of foam rides on the billow's crest, 
On ocean's floor the pearl we covet lies. 

CXVII 

In heart of man least thought of others' good 
Holds space with thought of vast infinitude, 

But where the thought of God holds not its court 
Thought of the poor man's woe will not intrude. 

CXVIII 
In gentle breath of balm the night air blows 
That subtler perfume which the day foregoes, 

To guard their hoards against the stealthy winds 
Do flowers at night their treasure-houses close. 

CXIX 

See how the wild rose blushes to confess 
'Mid tame surroundings her own loveliness,— 

Fair thought that blossoms for the artist soul 
Gives to that soul what trouble to express! 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

cxx 

Tall beaker, wine-cup, flagon, bowl, and jar, 
Of earth or crystal, dear and precious are ; 

But what gives chiefest value to them all 
The skill of potter's hand may make or mar. 

CXXI 
In dim bazaar where goods are bought and sold 
Fair rugs of Persian weaving are unrolled. 

Their rainbow dyes, their texture are displayed, 
But ne'er is shown poor weaver growing old. 

CXXII 
Around the earth do Thought and Fancy roam, 
As clouds o'er land, o'er sea as flying foam ; 

And yet how gladly both come back to thee, 
Dear Heart that lovest more to stay at home ! 

CXXIII 

Who lives 'mid garden bloom of thousand dyes 
Is wholly charmed by what about him lies, 

Who journeys not afar on desert waste 
Can never know how fair are evening skies. 



40 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CXXIV 
Till now I never dreamed what conld be done 
"With waste of tawny sand 'neath setting sun ; 

Look ! how the light and shade together play ! 
How smiles and frowning o'er the desert run I 

cxxv 

The farther on my desert way I ride 

The longer seems the desert, seems more wide, 

But let me fare as far as go the stars 
I cannot move myself from Allah's side. 

CXXVI 

Decrees of Fate, foreknowledge absolute, 

All points of faith about which men dispute, — 

These matter nought, nor views that men maintain, 
For Truth's defence all lips as well were mute. 

CXXVII 

The tongue is half the man, the other part 
That makes of man a unit is the heart ; 

This quarries thought and shapes it into words, 
The other wields thorn as one hurls the dart. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 41 

CXXVIII 

To speak the truth is well although it may 
Involve no more than simple ' yea' or ' nay ; ' 
Yet better is it, knowing truth the while, 
To talk of date-stones idly thrown away. 

CXXIX 

An empty name, as down of thistle light, 
Starts round the world its bold ambitious flight; 

Alas 1 at eve the ever-lengthening shade 
But lengthens to be lost at last in night. 

cxxx 

As two staunch foes, opposing lance and shield, 
Meet Youth and Age upon a hostile field ; 

"Whatever ground advancing Age may win 
That ground must Youth, howe'er reluctant, yield. 

CXXXI 

Life's troubles, in their long succession seen, 
Each on its neighbor trouble seem to lean, 

But never yet two gloomy nights went by 
Without the going of a day between. 



42 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CXXXII 

Is life a burden, with these trials cursed ? 
To taste misfortune we are not the first, 

And having met this we have come to know 
Things can but mend when they are at the worst. 

CXXXIII 

Did Allah heed our prayers to change his plan 
He would from human life all evil ban ; 

What then ? with pain removed what room were left 
For thanks to Allah, gratitude to man? 

CXXXIV 

With toil and care by day are we oppressed, 
Night follows day, with night comes gentle rest ; 

When we compare what day, what night affords, 
Then may we judge if life or death be best. 

cxxxv 

Sweet violet blooms in beauty to the eye, 
Bright Vesper hangs her lamp in western sky ; — 

Some gracious duty waits each human life 
Be that life on a lowly plane or high. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 43 

CXXXVI 

However swift or slow the days that pass 
In gloom of silent night they end, alas! 

But, after darkest night, is duly poured 
Day's shining sand in Time's inverted glass. 

CXXXVII 

Some sense of dread the deepening twilight brings, 
To Night's dark robes a haunting mystery clings ; 

How small for us were terror of the night 
Were night to us the shade of angels' wings I 

CXXXVIII 
I dreamed I was a beggar at Heaven's gate, 
Outside its portals patiently did wait ; 

But not one mite could Charity bestow 
For all came penniless— the small, the great. 

CXXXIX 

Light-hearted let me go with eager mind 
When into Allah's care my soul 's resigned, 

Well knowing that, from usurer's thrifty craft, 
More than my self I shall hereafter find. 



44 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CXL 

Kicli sandalwood yields of its fragrant store, 
The perfume that remains is all the more,— 

With liberal hand the rich dispense their wealth 
To find themselves but richer than before. 

CXLI 
I have my neighbor while at home I stay, 
My fellow traveler on the desert way ; 

Be I at home or at remotest bounds, 
I have my conscience with me night and day. 

CXLII 
O thou wayfarer, weary Heart of mine, 
Sent forth by Allah on some search of thine ! 

Let all the dusty road forgotten be 
In thinking of thy destiny divine. 

CXLIII 
Through life we follow paths we do not know, 
Close by our side attendant angels go ; 

The hand that leads us we remember well 
As that which led us years and years ago. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 45 

CXLIV 
From other worlds that lie beyond the pole 
Blow winds that rainless clouds of mystery roll ; 

Through life, through death, through time and space 
unchecked, 
Deep sighs of Allah sweep across the soul. 

CLXV 
A hand unseen restrains us and we stay, 
Inaudible the voice that warns us, "Nay ! " 

And so the camel driver all his life 
Conceives he goes a self-directed way. 

CXLVI 
To camel driver all his earthly pride 
"Was virtue — opulent in that he died ; 

Died poor, men say, for Allah so decreed 
That having virtue he have nought beside. 

CXLVII 

The world itself is governed still by Fate, 
Fate rules the subjects and the monarch's state, 

That power obey, submissive to its thrall, 
Salute Fate's messenger come soon or late. 



46 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CXLVIII 

For ills of life man's knowledge has no cure, 
And soon or late to all is sorrow sure ; 
Far as Philosophy can lend her aid 
She bids mankind be patient and endure. 

CXLIX 

'Tis only in the tardy autumn late 

That sweetness comes unto the ripening date, 

Who labors for the welfare of mankind 
For fruit of labor patiently must wait. 

CL 

Too short for us seem all these toilsome years, 
So filled are they with anxious hopes and fears ; 
Too short for our, but not for Allah's, plan 
Wherein the purpose of our life appears. 

CLI 
The wood of aloes — ancient proverb saith — 
Yields fragrance only to consuming breath, 

Not otherwise the virtues of the good 
Embalmed in memories linger after death. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 47 

CLII 
Twice had the dove gone forth on bootless quest, 
Third time she found dry spot on which to rest 

And came not back into the Ark again : — 
The dead return not, they have found the best. 

CLIII 
Before the winter's cold the swallow flies, 
Pursues the summer under tropic skies ; 

More kindly impulse to the soul is given 
To follow Duty into Paradise. 

CLIV 
He who would halt before the goal is won, 
Would cease from work before the task is done, 

He should reflect day follows after day, 
Another morn awaits the setting sun. 

CLV 
With patience men have toiled so long, so long, 
To build the right, to overthrow the wrong ! 

Their measured strokes, directed by one thought, 
Have blended into harmony of song. 



48 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CLVI 

For this, man's two-fold gifts were wisely planned, 
That feeling heart go with the laboring hand, 

That while the mortal lives as lives the flower 
The spirit learn this life to understand. 

CLVII 
They 've walked with us and they have shared our fears, 
Have bowed with us, with us have mingled tears, — 

Those lovers of their kind in ages past 
As men now walk with men of coming years. 

CLVIII 
Far off on paths of Paradise are they 
Were dear to Allah in life's golden day, 

The way they went in evening glory lies 
Flushed all its length with sunset's level ray. 

CLIX 

Far must we journey where that pathway lies 
In softest light before our longing eyes ; 
Far must we journey, going all alone, 
To keep our waited tryst in Paradise, 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

CLX 
Where go the vanished dead at least there 's rest 
For tired limbs upon our mother's breast, 

And if it be the dead wake not from sleep 
We know of Allah's gifts is sleep the best. 

CLXI 

We are so very weak to Allah's view I 
He has no need of me, no need of you, 

And that which makes us precious in His sight 
Is what we are, not what our hands can do. 

CLXII 
Is it the night-breeze whispering in my ear, 
Or clamor of Fame's distant voice I hear? 

Perchance an echo from Eternity, 
The worlds of sense and spirit are so near ! 

CLXIII 

Strange is the world about us everywhere 
Of which our vision tells us it is fair, 

And stranger yet the unseen world as near 
Of which we only know the dead are there. 



50 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CLXIV 

When curious traveler has wandered o'er 
The bounds of time he will return no more, 

For when he comes to view eternal scenes 
'Gainst his returning angels shut the door. 

CLXV 
The desert sand is dry the whole night through, 
Green blade of grass refreshed by copious dew ; 

Let but a friendship spring in human heart 
'Tis blessed with tenderness heart never knew. 

CLXVI 
If we could bar out Sorrow from the heart, 
Could from the mind bid gloomy Thought depart, 

Our eyes yet seeing others' deep distress 
With brimming tears of tenderness would smart, 

CLXVII 
All joys of sense with sense must fade away 
All joys in truth with truth shall last for aye 

With truth eternal we 've eternal home, 
A fairer life led in a purer day. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 51 

CLXVIII 
On many a strand have royal palm trees stood, 
Few lands can boast the growth of sandalwood, — 

Amid the throng about the monarch's throne 
The great are many, very few the good. 

CLXIX 
So many a deed of wrong for right is meant, 
So many a right one done with ill intent ! 

We cannot judge,— then why not kindness give 
As on the just and unjust rain is sent? 

CLXX 
We cannot draw the line through their dense throng, 
Tell on which side of this they each belong ; 

But this we know, the right makes for the right, 
And just as true it is wrong makes for wrong. 

CLXXI 

Sometimes the lion eager is for fight, 
Sometimes the lion safety seeks in flight ; 

The warrior need not rush upon the field 
Save when he is the champion of Eight. 



52 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CLXXII 

Why should man wish for life a longer day. 
Upon its wearying road a longer way ; — 

Full many a flower disdains the Tropic year. 
And grows but where keen frosts of winter slay. 

CLXXIII 

Did virtue in long pilgrimage abide 
To Mecca-born were holiness denied, 

More kind were heaven to those who dwell afar, 
More gracious yet had earth been made more wide. 

CLXXIV 

At home abiding, or on lonely quest, 

Heaven in thy bosom bear, to Heaven's behest 

Bow as a little child, look up to Heaven, 
So shall Death find thee fearless and at rest. 

CLXXV 
Since for mankind death is the common fate, 
And when Death calls for us he will not wait ; 

Revenge we gain from good deeds sent before, 
Thus Heaven will chide Death that he brings us late.. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

CLXXVI 

Not long may Fortune with one house abide, 
Soon comes Adversity with hurried stride, 

Her joy to crush the flower within the bud, 
To trample down the weeds of power and pride. 

CLXXVII 
Keep to the friend who when the times go ill. 
When Fortune turns her back, as Fortune will, 
Proves not unfaithful where are others false, 
In close companionship rejoices still. 

CLXXVIII 

What man may court the patronage of Fame 
Finds that she speaks inaudibly his name, 

But let one shun her in the market-place 
She seeks him out his glory to proclaim. 

CLXXIX 

How fair are all things bright to childish eyes, 
Not less the dark ones when we learn to prize 

Gifts not for their sake but for sake of Him 
Whose wisdom grants them and whose love denies. 



54 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CLXXX 

What is it gilds the sand-heaps and the trees, 
That paints the clouds of evening bright as these ? 

What is it but the sunlight's simple ray 
Which all uncolored one at noontide sees ? 

CLXXXI 

This desert sand, a weariness alas ! 
With pain is watched, seen running in the glass. 
It measures time,— of time we care the more, 
Each grain a moment, how the moments pass. 

CLXXXII 

The sands are quiet when winds cease to blow, 
Our spirits calm when passions smoulder low; 

Ah ! then we see how vain it was to fret 
That Time went as he fancied — fast or slow. 

CLXXXIII 

All elements, at Nature's stern command, 
Against our race in hostile order stand, 

To give earth's glory to the dust again, 
Destroy the marvelous triumphs of our hand. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 55 

CLXXXIV 

A life of toil, a life of penury 

This life of mine — I will contented be, 

For this I know, however low its state, 
' Tis just the life that Allah meant for me. 

CLXXXV 

Is it that Death will shut the gates so fast 
Which separate the future from this past 

That we, foreknowing here the end of life, 
May not discern life's discipline at last ? 

CLXXXVI 

Day after day with daily march we tire, 
Night after night renew our bivouac fire ; 
Thus we grow old, but not the world grows old,- 
The world is ever young with young desire. 

CL^ XXVII 
The moods of Fancy are of ample range, 
Mirthful, disconsolate ; familiar, strange ;- 

Let desert journey be long as it may 
The Desert's temper manifests no change. 



56 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CLXXXVIII 
Long to the watcher is the weary night 
Though patiently he bide the morning light, 

Long is the way to him who seeks for Truth 
Though prudently he heed her star aright. 

CLXXXIX 

The lone wayfarer marks the ways of earth, 
Black grief of death, the radiant joy of birth, — 

He marks the joy and grief that come between 
To raise immortal souls to nobler worth. 

cxc 

But though to careless listener standing near 
The cries of men discordant may appear, 

Yet when these reach to Allah's throne above 
They blend in one appeal to Allah's ear. 

CXCI 

In regions desolate we tread the dust 
Of palaces once cruel with the lust 

Of power and wealth, now sport of idle wind ; - 
Ah ! man is impious, and Allah just. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 57 

CXCII 

Where life is not, Death cannot hold his state, 
Where change is not, there is nor soon nor late,— 

' Tween desert banks the river, dreamless, sleeps, 
Bloom lotus buds, and Time forgets his date. 

CXCIII 

Men say the Sphinx beside the placid Nile 
Looks on the desert with as placid smile 

As Fate beholds the destiny of man, 
But ne 'er relax those stony lips the while. 

CXCIV 
How have men striven in reason as they could 
To learn the source of Evil and of Good ; 

Have wearied patient Thought, nor ever dreamed 
That 111 is Allah's care— misunderstood. 

cxcv 

What in this life is but a fond desire 

May rise to beauteous action in a higher,— 

How have I seen on bosom of a stream 
Fair lotus draw her beauty from the mire ! 



58 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CXCVI 

These desert paths on which we daily wend 
A toilsome way but seldom cross or blend, — 

Though wide diverge the separate paths of life 
All lead at last but to the selfsame end. 

CXCV1I 
The swallow weaves in air her mystic maze, 
The eagle soars bej^ond our baffled gaze ; 

Thus sages, versed in reasoning, rise above 
All doubts and fears that cloud life's humble ways. 

CXCVIII 

How do the songs returning swallows sing 
To our glad hearts remembered music bring, 

How sight of flowers with earlier vision blends 
Of that fair world where it is always spring I 

CXCIX 

Not where they meet — the desert and the sky— 
On borders mystical to questioning eye 

Expect to find the scenes which Fancy paints, — 
As we approach, those prisoning limits fly. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

CO 

Through all life's changing course of loss and gain 
To true believers Hosein's words remain, — 
" If in His care doth Allah shut one gate 
In pity and in grace He opens twain." 

CCI 

Soft falls the rain upon the thirsty sod, 

Slight print is left where fleet gazelle has trod, — 

Let but the orphan's tear fall on the ground 
Its heavy beat will shake the throne of God. 

ecu 

With what sweet comradeship of life we fare, 
Thou Soul of mine, across the desert bare ! 

When at the gates of Heaven thou enterest in 
How shall I stand alone and grieving there ! 

CCIII 
Men seem to please themselves with this belief, 
With happy days eternity were brief; 

And since this mortal life comes soon to end 
Men make life long by filling it with grief. 



60 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CCIV 

Time makes his course with most unequal pace, 
Slowly the past recedes as yielding place, 

The future is outrun by hopes and fears, 
The present flies as winner in a race. 

CCV 
With wearying care and toil is daj?" oppressed, 
Night comes and with her cometh gentle rest, 

By day our thoughts outrun the caravan, 
With happy dreams our sleep at night is blessed. 

ccvi 

Day paints the heavens their deep unchanging blue, 
Night brings her shining host of stars in view,— 

To one whose life is in the desert spent 
Alike are dawn and eve forever new. 

CCVII 

The wind at night goes past me with a sigh 
For fate of man — above, the desert sky 

Seems type of earthly circumstance, and now 
Both Night and I are sad — we know not why. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 61 

CCVIII 
A white sail on the blue unbounded tide, 
A white tent pitched upon the desert wide ; 

Above them both the same o'erarching heavens, 
With both alike doth Allah's care abide. 

CCIX 
We dream of Paradise as being fair, 
A tropic garden bright with flowers rare ; 

We wake to realize the pain of life, 
Are glad to know its balm is growing there. 

ccx 

How have I watched the desert through these years ! 
No dew by night, by day no rain appears, 

No water springs ! — to me it seems the Earth 
Feels in its heart a grief too deep for tears. 

CCXI 

To change one primal law is Nature loth, 
Living and dead — she is alike to both ; 

Fond moth will hover round consuming flame,— 
The candle feels no pity for the moth. 



62 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CCXII 

The hand that gives to man his daily food 
Gives just as freely to the raven's brood, 

What gives the gentle dove her harmless ways 
Gives to fierce tiger's whelps their thirst for blood. 

CCXIII 
Outspread beneath our feet the desert lies, 
Above our heads unfold the starry skies ; 

N"hy should earth be so dull, the heavens so bright ?- 
From earth to lift our hearts, to turn our eyes. 

CCXIV 

The man of wealth who lives in regal state 
Must bear with wretched horde about his gate ; 
Counsel of sage outvalues merchant's gold,— 
How few about the sage's portals wait I 

CCXV 
Men that have made most praise of worth their own 
Are those for whom most spite of men is shown,— 
Were pitcher fashioned from the dust of kings 
Some servile hand would break it with a stone. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 63 

CCXVI 

The potter's wheel runs on with slackening turn 
Beneath the hand that moulds a shapely urn 

After the potter's foot has stopped its beat,— 
From this how history makes itself we learn. 

CCXVII 
Except the seed fall in th' unconscious earth 
Sweet desert rose will never come to birth, 
Except the spirit dwell with mortal clay 
Immortal virtues will not show their worth. 

CCXVIII 
The glory won by Paladin of old, 
What matter if by prince or beggar told ! — 

Will draught of water have a different taste 
If drinking-cup be made of earth or gold ? 

CCXIX 

Around the common well of desert town 

Worn stones are grooved, ropes running up and down ; 

So have men leveled walls of circumstance, 
And so have worn away a life's renown. 



64 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CCXX 

"Where camels pass a hollow track is shown, 
Next day the track with sand is overblown, 
And of that sand the very smallest grains 
Are dust of princes otherwise unknown. 

CCXXI 
The rippled sand is scrawled with curves perplexed, 
What one day writes is cancelled by the next ; 

Let moullah scan the scroll with care he finds 
Allah il Allah runs the repeated text. 

CCXXII 

The leader shambling o'er a sandy place 
Leaves lines for second camel to erase,- 

Lines of our destiny though writ in dust 
No skill of ours availeth to efface. 

CCXXIII 

The years I journey through this desert land 
My shadow goes beside me o'er the sand; 

Not otherwise on all the way of life 
Go Self and Soul together hand in hand. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 65 

CCXXIV 

Ah me ! the praisers of my life are few, 
How many scorn the work I have to do ! 

And yet I find a comfort in the thought, 
The Prophet was a camel driver too. 

CCXXV 
The man who makes his soul a beast to bear 
His own vexations with another's care, 

May find before he comes to halting-place 
He has of this world claimed too large a share. 

CXXVI 
Why should the purpose of my patron be 
Always to burden both himself and me ? 

Himself with care, with toil my weary limbs ;— 
The Prophet's boast was of his poverty. 

CCXXVII 

If for his good was man from Eden driven, 
If for a blessing toil and sweat were given, 

How has he from the greatness of his soul 
For others' good in self-denial striven ! 



66 OBEYD, TIIE CAMEL DRIVER 

CCXXV1I1 

Large charities the liberal-minded planned, 
Grieved that he could not Fortune's aid command 
But Money said, " The miser knows my worth, 
And so it is I come to miser's hand." 

CCXXIX 

Time, in his dealings, takes our hopes in trust. 
Bright hopes they are which he permits to rust, 

When in the future we demand them back 
TJien time delivers nought but worthless dust. 

ccxxx 

Who fills his coffers full of glittering gold 
May feast his miser's gaze when he is old, 
But let him look into his miser's heart 
And there he finds but emptiness and cold. 

CCXXXI 

Spendthrift of life in toil and sacrifice, 
That he may heap the treasured gold, is wise 

If with his winning he has gained the craft 
To gild with this the walls of Paradise. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 67 

CCXXX1I 

Who would engage upon a dangerous quest 
Will find that private counsel is the best ; — 

When Alexander marched against the East 
At night his tent was pitched to front the west. 

CCXXXIII 
Of every creature Allah wills the fate, 
He wills the place of death, He wills the date ; — 

Be this the day, be Samarkand the place, 
To-day our train will pass that city's gate. 

CCXXXIV 

We plan for time but Allah plans for aye ; 
We pray for good but Allah answers "Nay;" 

Not that the good we crave is aught but good,— 
A greater good the learning to obey. 

ccxxxv 

Like camels men are doomed to travel o'er 
The waste 'twixt past and future, and explore, 
Leave all the world to those who later come 
And follow after those have gone before. 



68 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CCXXXVI 

As reach of land between opposing seas, 
Low reef of shifting sand aye washed by these, 
Man walks this narrow span with confidence. 
Its two abutments vast eternities. 

CCXXXVII 

Time has a past outrunning history, 
A future to whose limits none can see, 

And yet with all its measureless extent 
Time 's but a fragment of eternity. 

CCXXXVIII 

Age ends its labors as Youth ends its play, 
Not long at Life's successive inns we stay; 

We drain our cups before the common fire, 
Pay off the score, and then are on our way. 

CCXXXIX 

We leave Life's entertainment as we came, 

All wealth is nought — if rich or poor, the same ; 

And those on whom has Fortune smiled the most 
Confess its use was winning of the game. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

CCXL 
If any man by studious thought has come 
To comprehend of wisdom all its sum, 

He has not lisped of this one word to us— 
In leash of wiser thonghts his lips are dumb. 

CCXLI 
He is not blind who can the Prophet read, 
He is not deaf who gives the beggar heed ; 
But he who speaks not in another's woe 
Words of compassion — he is dumb indeed. 

CCXLII 
The path across the desert leads to where 
Damascus lies among its gardens fair, — 

Life's path that runs beyond our mortal sight 
Will end at last, and we be happy there. 

CCXLIII 
From happy scenes, from home and kindred banned, 
Went Ishmael's mother into desert land, 

In very shame she watched her luckless child, 
Nor saw Heaven's angel close beside her staud. 



70 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

CCXLIV 
Somewhere on earth a patient soul doth wait 
Long, weary searching of its lonely mate, 

Be their first meeting on the desert wide, 
And right before them opens Eden's gate. 

CCXLV 
Who travels far abroad through regions vast 
Comes back no wiser for his toil at last 

Than he who in the city's gateway sits 
And watches eager pilgrims hurrying past. 

CCXLVI 
Among the crowd went Obeyd all alone, 
To all he met he made his trouble known, 

And, coming back, reported to his friends 
He found each heart had trouble of its own. 

CCXLV1I 
Were I, O Love, a poor despised thing, 
Helpless as you would be with broken wing, 

In iny despair you would be at my side, 
As Fortune scorned, you would the closer cling! 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

CCXLVIII 

How on my thought will faithful memory wait 
Of how we twain went from the city gate — 
My love with me far as the parting well, 
And how thenceforth my way is desolate ! 

CCXLIX 
I dreamed that Paradise I wandered through, 
Its loveliness lay open to my view ; 

Walk, Love, with me this desert track, and then 
Will all the promise of that dream come true. 

CCL 
Day breaks, the east with glory's all ablaze, 
For me have broken thus how many days ! 

And yet this dawns as none had dawned before, 
Their memory 's lost in wonder as we gaze ! 

CCLI 

Is Spring at hand, the darling of the year ? 
Is Spring at hand ? do meadows green appear? 

I look abroad, I see not my beloved : — 
No, meadows are not green, Spring is not here ! 



72 OBEYD, T11E CAMEL DRIVER 

CCLII 
The sunset glory on the mountain lies, 
Lies on the clouds to which those summits rise 

In hush of evening's solemn hour is held 
This golden wedding of the earth and skies ! 

CCLIII 
How sight of home the toil-worn traveler cheers 
When after desert march his home appears ! 

Heaven after life shall gladden us the more 
Eternity transcends our mortal years. 

CCLIV 
This track that lies across the desert wide 
Ends under palm trees on the further side ;— 

Be patient, Soul of mine, the way of life 
Will lead to blessings that are here denied. 

CCLV 
Yea, when the unseen messenger shall call, 
When over lights of heaven shall darkness fall, 

Then will Archangel put the scroll away, 
And Allah stand revealed — the All-in-all. 



THE CAMEL DRIVER'S THOUGHTS 

CCLVI 

One hears the evening waters gently flow, 
Another hears the bulbufs plaint of woe, — 
To my glad ear the voice of my beloved 
Sounds, in that melting music, soft and low. 

CCLVII 
Is that a star low shining ? — Who can tell ! — 
Below the rim of night's cerulean bell ? 

The night is cloudy ; — no, 'tis not a star ; — 
My love awaits me at the parting well ! 

CCLVIII 
O joy f*f pilgrim, now his journey 's o'er, 
Now that he enters at his low tent door ! 

If home and kindred furnish so great joy 
What joy supernal Heaven must have in store I 

CCLIX 
O grace of Allah giving faithful friend 
To wait my coming at the journey's end ! 
And equal grace Thyself to go with me, 
Nor halt however long the way I wend ! 



Two pilgrims met in mosque at El Meshed, 
One from the living came, one from the dead : 

The ghost was Obeyd from his desert march, 
The mortal — who records what this one said. 



THE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 



Rebekah at the desert fountain's brink 

To Abraham's servant gives cool draught to drink,— 

" I'll draw," she says, " for thirsty camel, too," 
What must the wayworn, thirsty camel think ! 



THE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 



i 
One after one the camels start away 
From smouldering camp-fires in the morning gray, 

One after one the loitering line comes in 
To evening camp-fires at the close of day. 

II 

Let but one camel pass and you have there 
Signs of his passing, seen at spaces rare ; 

But let the train come after in his lead 
And soon the track is made a thoroughfare. 

Ill 
Slow o'er the desert winds the camel train, 
Across the heavens drift heavy clouds of rain, 

These yield their charge when mountains stay their 
course, 
Poor camels theirs when cities proud they gain. 



78 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

IV 

As ship becalmed is seen all day to stand 
No farther off, no nearer to the land, 

So camels seem to keep the selfsame spot 
Upon this smooth monotony of sand. 

V 
The track in burning sand before me lies, 
Far on the low horizon palms arise, 

Fast as I haste to gain the halting place 
The vision of the palms before me flies. 

VI 

Before the blast white wave at Bushine curls, 
Wild storm of sand across the desert whirls, 

Through blinding storm my lonely way I go 
As through the waves lone diver goes for pearls. 

VII 

Unnumbered dangers haunt the desert wide, 
By lonely trails doth violence abide, 

And there I find my driver follows close 
As timid child c'ings to its mother's side. 



THE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 79 

VIII 

With man on desert track I take the lead, 
He follows, urging me to greater speed, 

Not knowing that with hunger and with thirst 
We both are driven along by direst need. 

IX 

Enough to me each day its grief and bale, 
Enough that in my task I do not fail ; 

My driver borrows from the days to come, 
Thinks how his deeds shall sound in future tale. 

X 

My master takes good care his slave be fed 
If only for some service coveted, 

Will not then He who owns both lord and slave 
Provide for slave and lord their daily bread ? 

XI 

Two things to simple-minded man are known, — 
That husbandman must reap what he hath sown, 
That cub of wolf reared in the homes of men 
Becomes no less a wolf when it is grown. 



80 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XII 

Men need a higher wisdom yet to gain, 

Or else content with us, poor beasts, remain ; 

Know good from evil or else nothing know, 
For all between is misery and pain. 

XIII 
How have I seen in Georgian Tiflis 
Men hail their conquering chief till daylight cease ! 

Seen then the chief turn sorrowful away, — 
The praise of courtiers brings so little peace. 

XIV 
For fame of leader camels care the least, 
To what he leads concerns both man and beast ;— 

Who takes the vulture for a desert guide 
Full soon will come to most unsavory feast. 

XV 

Rich fabrics made in shops of Teheran 
Must go, for sale, to mart of Ispahan ; 

And goods from thence be taken in return 
To suit the whim of fickle-minded man. 



TIIE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 81 

XVI 

Through burning sands and over slippery stones 
We make our toilsome way with sighs and groans; 

To sate men's greed must camels spend their lives, 
To mark the road for him leave whitening bones. 

XVII 

A comrade little fit for us is Fear 
While on our lonely way we travel here, 

But when we find Fear pressing to our side 
We note that pain and anguish disappear. 

XVIII 
Blest that mirage whose magic charm can cheat 
With show of water dreadful Syrian heat, 

That leads with hope the faltering camel train 
O'er cruel sands that scorch the camels' feet. 

XIX 
On desert route 'tis not the beast of prey 
My master fears the most by night, by day ; 

' Tis not the lion crouching in the path, 
But murderous robber ambushed by the way. 



82 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XX 

Men sit with folded hands, they wait and pray 
That Fortune, still indulgent, turn their way ; 

When hungry camel famishes for food 
He stretches out his neck to reach the hay. 

XXI 

All creatures have their nature, each its own, 
The camel in the desert feeds alone ; 

The dog, invited to a princely feast, 
Will, underneath the table, gnaw a bone. 

XXII 

The wild gazelle, content with scanty fare, 
Feeds over burning sand of desert bare ; 

' Tis not so much she loves th' unfruitful waste 
As that the foot of man comes seldom there. 

XXIII 
When he the failings of another sees, 
My driver ready is to carp at these ; 

Slow plodding on the desert's sandy road, 
I meditate my own infirmities. 



THE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 83 

XXIV 
Here toil and need and misery are rife, 
And heat and dust and bitterness of strife ; 

At last a bed upon the yielding sand, 
And this, it seems to me, is all of life. 

XXV 

I wonder why men cross the desert wide 
And then recross unto the former side ; 

What was the sandy waste created for 
Except the tribes and nations to divide ? 

XXVI 
The starveling shrub half buried in the sand, 
By feverish blast of hot sirocco fanned, 

Gives from its dried and crumpled leaves the breath 
Of bitterness felt by its native land. 

XXVII 

No finger-post is needed for a guide 
To pilgrims who across the desert ride, 

From end to end the dismal way is marked 
"With bleaching bones of camels that have died. 



84 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XXVIII 
Is it that any power above can be 
Such to my master as he is to me, 

Some sovereign ruling mankind absolute 
Yet tailing to avert man's destiny ? 

XXIX 

We luckless camels kneel upon the road 
"When we take up or when we leave our load ; 

My driver bows him prostrate in the dust, — 
If nevermore to rise, the better mode. 

XXX 

Should drop of rain fall in the desert here 
' T would instantly as vapor disappear, 

The happy drop that falls on marigold 
Is folded to the heart as treasure dear. 

XXXI 

The wind at midnight cold as winter blew, 
The sunrise brings the summer's heat anew, 

In Kashmir's vale the rose blooms all the year, 
The orange never bids the spring adieu. 



THE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 85 

XXXTI 

In winter time by Allah's thoughtful care 
With greater cold grows thicker camel's hair, 

My driver has to guard against the frost 
And purchase him a robe at Persian fair. 

XXXIII 

Poor silly grouse knows what a simple thing 
It is in desert drought to find a spring, 

My master would not know which way to fly 
Were gracious Heaven to give him ample wing. 

XXXIV 
Where height of dangerous pass is to be won 
Most praise is his who has the way begun, 
For he has not alone to climb the way, 
He also has to show it can be done. 

XXXV 
In camp our driver calls, " What of the night? 
Is it far spent, dawns now the eastern light ? " 

" Yea, starry watchers leave celestial post 
As glorious day's outriders come in sight !" 



86 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XXXVI 

Of storm and somber shadows men complain, 
With hope look for bright sunshine once again ; 

My driver, sleeping in his desert tent, 
Has dream no sweeter than of falling rain. 

XXXVII 

On burning sand spread under burning sky 
From well to well do trails of traffic lie,— 

What cares the merchant that here Thirst abides 
And watches famished caravans go by ? 

XXXVIII 

Across the sand long lines of camels wind, 
No shade, no water and no food they find ; 
How well is desert guarded against Life, 
To Death alone hospitable and kind. 

XXXIX 

What have I in my toilsome life where all 
Is daily drudgery whate'er befall? 

What pleasure, looking backward on the road? — 
To care for what 's to come is only thrall. 



TUE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 87 

XL 

In fragrance sweet the withering flower gives 
What from its life the desert shrub receives ; 

>Tis only after death that can be known 
What in me or my driver chiefly lives. 

XLI 

By camel's foot or hoof of horse is traced 
A crescent moon upon the desert waste, 

Let lengthened train come slowly shambling by 
And soon all sign of crescent is effaced. 

XLII 

This weary waste of sand that shimmers so 
As floor of furnace under fiery glow, 

Pales in the moonlight, and I walk it then 
As plodding over fields of drifted snow. 

XLIII 

The robber rain that carries sands away 
Collects in stagnant pools deep beds of clay, 

The solvent water binds the desert dust 
In sun-dried walls defensive of Cathay. 



88 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

XLIV 

That gold whose gleam makes glad the miser's eyes 
Upon the camel's back a burden lies, 

Makes wearisome long journey of the day 
Than load of quarried stone no otherwise. 

XLV 

My journey leads me through a songless land, 
Not e'en the cricket's chirp on either hand ; 

Nor is the silence of the desert broke 
By camel's muffled footfall on the sand. 

XLVI 
In haunts of men do swallows make their home, 
They, twittering, fly round minaret and dome; 

In comradeship with pestilence and death, 
Grim, silent vultures o'er the desert roam. 

XLVII 
My driver in his human wisdom knows 
That from life's labors death will bring repose, 

And yet. with knowledge of both life and death, 
He comes through life complaining to its close. 



THE CAMEL'S THOUGHTS 

XLVIII 
The meanest dog, left to himself to go 
By fancy led and coursing fast or slow, 
Has better fortune than the lion has 
That paces gilded prison to and fro. 

XLIX 

To camel's thoughts how many a curious thing 
The desert and the market-place will bring ! 

Who serves one master only -he 's a slave ; 
Who is the slave of millions — he 's a king. 

L 

On either side our path an ambuscade 
By hostile bands of circumstance is laid, 

With fewer risks the desert course is run 
As with the greater speed the course is made. 

LI 
Stars disappear soon as the day comes on, 
Invisible in brightness of the dawn, 

Fixed at their post, but who can point the way 
By which the vanished morning frost is gone ? 



90 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

LII 

Hot blows the wind from out the torrid south, 
Hot as the blast comes from the furnace mouth, 

Yet grateful to the land to which it goes 
As mists from chilly north to desert drouth. 

LIII 

Far on the weary road my driver sees 
Stand out against the sky tall clump of trees, 
Rejoicing at their sight for well he knows 
Cool springs of water overhung by these. 

LIV 
Long march is over, bells their tinkling cease, 
From heavy burden camel has release, 

My driver, too, so many dangers run, 
With friends at last enjoys a grateful peace. 



O welcome rest to travel-worn and sore ! 
O welcome sleeping when the march is o'er I 

Is it that life leads ever on to death, 
Is death a resting from life evermore ? 



FROM THE DESERT 



FKOM TUE DESERT 



WELL OF PARTING 

Not in the city gate, 

' Mid mad confusion of the crowded street, 
Where eager sellers wait 

For eager buyers ' rnong the throng they meet, 
Are words of farewell said by man to man 
At ancient Ispahan. 

With him who goes abroad 

Through Persia's worn-out, empty, lonesome land, 
Upon the desert road 

His friend goes, too, until at length they stand 
Beneath the tree where, through long ages dead, 
Have farewell words been said. 

There by the wayside well 

Dug by their ancestors in thirsty plain, 
Whose stones worn deeply tell 

Of ropes let down, of ropes drawn up again, 
They part, the one on desert paths to roam 
The other going home. 



94 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

Ah, who shall know the end 

Awaiting either in the coming years 

When friend goes with his friend 

To well of parting, sad good-bye, and tears ! 

One forward goes a lone wayfaring man, 

One back to Ispahan. 



FROM TUE DESERT 



EL TEKBIR 



95 



" Do ye year the voice of angel or of mortal 

Chant the praises of the Prophet far or near ; 
From the desert round about us or Heaven's portal, 

Falleth any sound of worship on the ear ? " 
Thus the Khalif questioned closely his attendants 

In the still and lonely watches of the night, 
While the crescent of their faith with its resplendence 

Rendered all the desert landscape ghostly white. 
41 Not a whisper low from angel lips or mortal 

In the stillness of the desert do we hear, 
Not a strain of song escaping from Heaven's portal 

Cometh to the eager soul or listening ear." 
Thus the soldiers spake the Khalif : - by this token 

Well their chieftain knew he heard the low Tekbir, 
This it was of which his heavenly guest had spoken, 

Sounding only to his hearing soft and clear. 
Glad the Khalif, —in his light unquiet sleeping, 

In the deeply silent watches of the night, 
To his tent past guards their lonely vigil keeping 
All unseen had come a messenger of light ; 



96 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

By the bedside of the Khalif stood the stranger, 
Bade the troubled sleeper be of hearty cheer, 

For a voice should lead his people out of danger, — 
Voice that only Allah's chosen one could hear. 

"Follow," said the stranger, " where that voice shall call 
thee 

Though it lead thee through the desert wild and drear, 
In obedience no evil can befall thee, 

Let thy people also follow without fear : 
Where it stayeth thou shalt found for them a city, 

War and pestilence shall nevermore come near ; 
Kise and lead thy trusting followers in pity, 

Rise and listen for the mystical Tckbir!" 

At the dawn the Khalif forward boldly riding 

Bore the standard of the Prophet in the van, 
Followed close upon his low mysterious guiding, 

Careless aught of earth or sljy above to scan ; 
When at eve that mystic chant no longer sounded 

There the tired legion halted, horse and man, 
There the Kibleh of the Prophet's faith was founded, 

There was traced the holy city of Kairwan. 



FROM THE DESERT 97 



SID BEL ABBAS 

Sid bel Abbas good and wise, — 
Rest his soul in Paradise- 
Holy, while yet in the flesh, 

In the guiltless life he led, 
Coming once to Marakesh 

Begged to beg his daily bread. 

Sainted beggars in the gate 
Heard his plea disconsolate, 
Poor and scanty their supplies 

When their needs were at the least, 
How could daily alms suffice 

If their numbers were increased ? 

For reply was sent to him 
Bowl with water to the brim, 
This was meant to indicate 

Room was none for him to try, 
Seated in the city gate, 

Alms to ask of passers-by. 



OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

Can the bowl receive aught more 
And the waters not run o'er ? 
" Will he join the holy men 

At the gate and in the tent, 
Let the bowl return again 

Holding more than thej^ have sent. 

Sid bel Abbas then replies,— 
Rest his soul in Paradise- 
Plucks a drooping desert rose, 

Lets it drink till it is whole, 
Fresh the fragrant flower goes 

With the water in the bowl. 



FROM THE DESERT 9» 



KOSHAIRA 

From its rock-encircled fountain 

Kuns the river clear and cold, 
Down the slope of Syrian mountain, 

Over sands of shining gold ; 
Bright the current of Koshaira, 

Dark its mystery of old 
Linked with Kadi of Palmyra, 

By Arabian poet told. 

True the story, or invented, 

Be it fact, or Fancy's dream, 
Once the Khalif Mamoun tented 

By the margin of the stream ; 
Musing on his present duty, 

Idly watching sportive bream, 
Of a more than common beauty 

Did the fish to Mamoun seem. 



100 OBEYD, TIIE CAMEL DRIVER 

Summoning a trusty waiter, 

Promised he a rich reward 
If that bream were served him later 

Smoking hot on evening board. 
Willingly the slave was hired ; 

From the shallows of the ford 
Soon he brought the fish admired, 

Pleased he showed it to his lord. 

While tho Khalif idly lingers, 

Lost in wonderment complete, 
Slips the fish through idle fingers, 

To his fellows makes retreat ; 
In the shallow water plashes 

Where the shore and river meet, 
Chilly cold the bath he dashes 

On tho Arab's sandalled feet. 

And tho touch of that cold river 
Gives Mamoun a sudden start, 

Sends an evil-boding shiver 

Through the chambers of his hear! 



PROM THE DESERT 101 

He recalls the warning spoken 

With the shrewd diviner's art, 
He recalls the promised token 

To foreshow the fatal dart. 

Then did Mamoun, cold and weary, 

By the gloom of Fate oppressed, 
For the river's name make query 

Though its mystic sense he guessed ; — 
Came reply in soothing numbers 

To his spirit sore distressed, 
For " Koshaira" bids to slumbers, — 

4 ' Stretch thy feet out here and rest." 



102 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DUIVER 



BELFRY OF ALEPPO 

Underneath the sky of Syria unclouded, 

Studded with the constellations burning bright, 
Lies the Bedouin, in his burnous closely shrouded, 

On a waste of sandy desert gleaming white ; 
Hound about the child of Ishmae^ soundly sleeping 

All the hungry packs of desert creatures prowl, 
"With a light and stealthy footstep softly creeping, 

Answering back the startled cry with surly growl. 

Not at all the sleeper heeds the angry growling, 

So familiar is that discord to his ear- 
Yell of tiger and the hungry jackal's howling, 

Cries of rage and terror, uttered far and near ; 
But at midnight he is wakened from his slumbers 

By a human cry borne on the desert air ; 
The muezzin's call in slow, harmonious numbers, 

Seems to summon true believers unto prayer. 



FROM THE DESERT 103 

" Pity, Allah, pity us ! " the voice is crying ; 

" Have compassion on our weakness in Thy might; 
Show us pity, Lord, who art Thyself undying, 

Us who daily fall and perish in Thy sight ! " 
Strange the cry itself, and no less strange the hour, 

Nowhere else was ever midnight summons heard,— 
'Tis the ancient calling from Aleppo's tower, 

From the days of Omar cried in Grecian word. 

When the Moslem under Khaled fierce assailing 

Drove the Christians from their altars and their homes, 
Then the Prophet's faith and worship, all prevailing, 

Changed to Sunnee mosques their consecrated domes. 
Blotted out the pictures on the wall and ceiling, 

Broke the figures from the mortar and the stone, 
From the belfry, for the chime's accordant pealing, 

Sent the loud muezzin's call in plaintive tone. 

Thus did fare the church of holy Zacharias 
When Aleppo fell into the Moslem's care. 

Then the old, fanatic Khaled, sternly pious, 
Sent aloft to call the faithful unto prayer ; 



104 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

And a servant quick responding to his token, 

Climbed the staircase till its upper stage was found, 

But before his lips the holy name had spoken, 

Strangely had he fallen headlong to the ground. 

Quick the order was repeated by the master, 

Prompt a follower responded to the call, 
Up the dizzy staircase mounting fast and faster, 

He was all the sooner coming to his fall. 
Then the captain for the third time gave his order, 

Bade a trusty guardsman to the belfry go, 
In obedience turned away the veteran warder, — 

First he knelt in prayer within the church below. 

"While the pious Moslem proffered his petition, 

Praying to escape the death his comrades died, 
Came the holy Zacharias, says tradition, 

Stood and listened with compassion at his side. 
Then the vision bade the warder to the tower, 

Promised safety for one act of faith alone ; 
Let muezzins evermore at midnight hour 

For this sacrilege the litany intone. 



FROM THE DESERT 105 

Thus it is that through each lengthening generation 

Handed down has been the ancient Christian prayer ; 
Thus it is that at Aleppo's lonely station 

Still muezzins mount each night the belfry stair. 
" Pity, Allah, pity ! " still the voice is crying, 

44 Have compassion on our weakness in Thy might ; 
Show us pity, Lord, who art Thyself undying, 

Us who daily fall and perish in Thy sight I " 



106 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 



THE DESERT STREAM 

Born of the winter's snow 

Over Syrian mountain spread, 

In the heat of the summer's glow 
When the sun burns overhead ; 

On the mountain's shoulder high, 

In the blue fields of the sky- 
When the moon hangs low 
And the staid stars go 

Their unheralded marches by. 

Feeling the pulses strong 

Of a new and unworn life, 
How the torrent rushes along 

In the maddened frenzy of strife ! 
Impatient the waters stay, 
Gladly they hurry away, 

And merry their song 

As they hasten along 
Whether by night or by day. 



FROM THE DESERT 107 



Leaping adown the rocks, 

Over broken masses of ledge, 
Baffled by frequent sliocks 

Do they come to the cataract's edge ; 
Headlong plunging they go 
Into the basin below 

Where the glassy pool, 

Fern-shaded and cool, 
Sleeps on in the noontide glow. 

Hither the lioness leads 

Through the tangled border of wood, 
Crawling among the reeds, 

Her thirsty and famishing brood ; 
Daintily setting her paw, 
Greedily licking her jaw, 

Now she laps the flood 

As she lapped the blood 
Of the slain kid, reeking and raw. 



108 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 



With a low and angry growl 

She answers the leopard's cry, 
The yell, the snarl, and the howl 

Of the tigress prowling nigh ; 
From the desert these come to the brink 
Of the mountain river to drink ; 

Having lapped their fill. 

All surly and still 
Back to the jungle they slink. 

Even the palm trees tall, 

Oleanders fair as a dream 
Owe their loveliness all 

To the generous-hearted Stream ; 
Crowding close to its side 
Reeds and rushes abide, 

And they drink their fill 

Of the waters so still 
That under their shadow hide. 



FROM THE DESERT 109 



By the scorching breezes fanned 

From the desert's feverish breath, 
Drunk by the hissing sand 

In the hideous valley of death ; 
From its oozy channel strayed 
The seething current is stayed, 

And 'tis lost at last 

In the desert so vast 
' Neath the withering myrtle's shade. 



110 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

ZULEIKA 
Into exile from thee am I driven, Zuleika, 

Zuleika, my pearl, my rich treasure ; 
I am driven to the desert to die, Zule'ika, 

Zule'ika, my pearl, my rich treasure; 
To gazelles all my trouble I've told, Zule'ika, 

Zuleika, my pearl, my rich treasure; 
The gazelles have my trouble but mocked, Zuleika, 

Zule'ika, my pearl, my rich treasure. 
******* 
In mirage I behold thee again, Zule'ika, 

Zule'ika, my peri from heaven ; 
But, alas ! from me flies the mirage, Zule'ika, 

Zule'ika, my peri from heaven. 
With a thirst that's consuming I burn, Zule'ika, 

Zule'ika, my peri from heaven ; 
No, the thirst for thy kisses it is, Zule'ika, 

Zuleika, my peri from heaven. 
I drink and I live ; — lo, a garden of pleasures ! 

Zuleika, my peri from heaven ; 
' Tis paradise ! gladly for thee do I perish, 

Zule'ika, my peri from heaven ! 



FROM THE DESERT 111 



THE PHANTOM TRAIN 

In peace was pitched tlie pilgrim tent 

Upon the desert sand, 
Beside the track where pilgrims went 

To Mecca's holy land ; 
And in the fading of the day, 

The coming of the night, 
At peace poor weary pilgrims lay 

In Allah's watchful sight. 

But one, the patriarch of them all, 

As Abraham of yore, 
Sat, watching folds of darkness fall, 

Beside the low tent door ; 
And, as along the dusky road 

He strained his feeble sight, 
From out the gloom a figure strode 

Close shrouded all in white. 



112 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

It was the leader of a train, 

As of a pilgrim band, 
Slow winding over desert plain 

Towards the holy land ; 
A train of camels laden sore 

Came through the misty night, 
The burdens on their backs they bore 

With funeral palls were dight. 

No sound of footfall on the sand, 

Of tinkling bell no sound, 
The old man watched the coming band 

In mystery profound ; 
He rose to greet it drawing near — 

It loomed against the sky — 
" Peace ! " spake the old man without fear, 

And " Peace! " the calm reply. 

"As Allah willed, the daylight went, 

The day will come again, 
Kest thou this night within my tent, 

And rest thy weary train ; 



FROM THE DESERT ns 



His love will pious pilgrims keep 
Long as life's road they fare, 

And when at last they fall asleep 
They sleep in Allah's care." 

44 Nay, urge me not," the leader said, 

' Tis time my train should go, 
' Tis theirs to bear the Moslem dead 

O'er deserts to and fro ; 
The faithful who abroad have died 

May rest in holy place, 
To faithless Meccans is denied 
This share in Allah's grace. 

" On earth it seems to mortal eyes 

That night must follow day, 
But to the realms of Paradise 

The world is light for aye ; 
We travel in that selfsame light 

Along a lighted way, 
And spirits waiting wished-f or sight 
Forbid that we should stay. 



114 OBEYD, THE CAMEL DRIVER 

" This time we bring from distant Spain 

Heroic ones who fell 
Fierce fighting on Grenada's plain 

Against the infidel ; 
And or that number there is one — 

A young, a beauteous boy — 
The mother waits her darling son, 

We stay that mother's joy." 

The old man asks the glorious name, 
And then entreaties cease ; 

He bids the leader, as he came, 
" With Allah go in peace ! " 

The name that falls upon his ears 
Is a familiar one, 

Kept sacred through life's closing years — 
That of his youngest son. 



if>§ -!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^8 











^*V^5^^^\&&M3 . 



LIBRARY OF CONGRFQQ 

nnnii 

016 211 672 1 




